Memorial service planned for homeless who died

A memorial service is planned for Dec. 21 at Baltimore's Inner Harbor amphitheater to remember the homeless individuals who died over the last year.

The service, which is open to the public, is set for 5 p.m. Thousands of homeless individuals live in Baltimore, but an exact count is unknown.

"Life on the streets quickly can turn to death on the streets," Kevin Lindamood, president of Health Care for the Homeless, said in a statement. "Only by putting an end to homelessness itself can we stop the untimely deaths of our homeless neighbors."

The event is organized by the coalition Stop Homelessness and Reduce Poverty, or SHARP. Baltimore City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Thursday to dedicate Dec. 21 as "Homeless Persons' Memorial Day."